Game of Thrones Mailbag

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You asked for clarification on a few kings, lords and ladies from Game of Thrones' Season 2. Gods be praised, we've got answers.

By Matt Fowler

Back at the beginning of the week, we sent a raven out to all those fans of HBO's Game of Thrones who hadn't read the books and who might have gotten a bit lost this season. We wanted your questions. Because now that more characters (Brienne, Margaery, Stannis, Davos, Yara) and more places (Dragonstone, Harrenhal, Pyke) have been added to the mix, we didn't want anyone to get left behind. Because those of us who've read the books know that the saga only gets even more crowded from here.

The point of this Q&A is not to spoil the story. We simply want to clarify the things that have already been presented on the show.

Or asks: "Who are all the names on Arya's night time kill list?"

It Is Known: So far? Joffrey, Cersei, Ilyn Payne, The Hound, Polliver and The Mountain.

She started saying them at night after Yoren told her that he used to say the name of guy he wanted to kill every night before he went to sleep. Joffrey and Cersei are self explanatory. Ilyn Payne is the bald, mute knight who beheaded Ned. He was also seen ripping the tongue out of the singer in the Season 1 finale. The Hound is, you know, Sandor Clegane; Joffrey's burned-faced guard. Arya still hates him for killing her friend Mycah back in Season 1, episode 2. Polliver is the Lannister a-hole who stole Needle from Arya and killed Lommy back in "What is Dead May Never Die." The Mountain is The Hound's massive brother, Gregor Clegane (now played by a new actor than in Season 1), and he and his men were torturing people at Harrenhal.

Just a few FYIs on names: The guy torturing everyone is known as "The Tickler" and the Lannister soldier who led the group that captured Arya (the one wearing the helmet) was Amory Lorch.

Ryan asks: "Why is Stannis living on the Isle of Dragonstone?" and "Why was Ser Jorah banished and which family does he belong to?"

It Is Known: Stannis, being the brother that Robert liked the least, was given the former Targaryen island hold of Dragonstone to rule, and named Lord of Dragonstone, after the rebellion. The much-better, and family owned, Baratheon castle of Storm's End was given to Renly, who was named Lord of Storm's End. It's one of the many things Stannis has grown bitter about over the years. It is said that Stannis, after serving in King's Landing as Robert's Master of Ships, went back to live on Dragonstone because, after Jon Arryn's death, he felt slighted that Robert chose Ned over him as Hand of the King.

Jorah Mormont, of House Mormont, comes from a Northern territory known as Bear Island (which you can see on maps of Westeros). You've also met his Father, Night's Watch Commander Mormont, who's currently off beyond the wall with Jon Snow. Jorah married a beautiful woman who, basically, bankrupted him. Or at least he bankrupted himself trying to please her. He caught poachers on his land and, hard up for cash, decided to sell them as slaves. Slavery, and slaving, is forbidden in Westeros, so Ned Stark, being the dutiful man he was, set on beheading Jorah. But Jorah chose to flee and has been living in exile ever since.

Marc writes: "I'm confused about the names of the 5 potential kings and why they feel they are entitled to the throne."

Patrick asks: "Which Baratheon brother is actually the next after King Robert's death?"

It Is Known: Its amazing to us that a lot of people still argue over this, but Stannis is Robert's younger brother. He is the oldest younger brother. Many think he's older than Robert because, well, he acts older. He's harsh and stern whereas Robert was more passionate about life. It's why they never got along. But, yes, in the books it states that "Stannis was born the second son to Steffon Baratheon and Cassana Estermont."

That being that, and seeing as how Robert had no legitimate heirs, Stannis is the rightful successor. This is why, after Robert died, Ned ordered a letter to be sent to Stannis informing him of his brother's death and, um, the incest situation. Renly is basically making a big play for power here, knowing that everyone likes him a hell of a lot more than Stannis. And likes him enough to ignore Stannis' rightful claim.

It Is Known: Some of you might be wondering why Dany and Jon Snow have had such little screen time this year. Part of it is because there are so many new characters to introduce and follow, and part of it is that sometimes characters in the books go through more of a cerebral journey. I won't give anything away, but in the book Clash of Kings we spend a lot of time in Dany's headspace. And that kind of stuff simply doesn't translate easily to the screen. But rest assured, dangerous drama is headed her way and when I spoke to Game of Thrones executive producer David Benioff at the beginning of the season, he hinted that they might have had to add a few things to the show that weren't present in the books.

Benioff, from the Q&A: "With Daenerys, specifically, we were trying to come up with a storyline that more or less tracks what happens in the books but then also coming up with ways to dramatize it further."

If you've got Game of Thrones TV series questions, that aren't asking us to spoil things, send them to IGNTV@ign.com and we'll try to tackle them in a future Game of Thrones Mailbag.

Warning: No BOOK SPOILERS on the comment sections for our Game of Thrones reviews. Please do not post anything that will ruin the series for others. You will be banned. And for everyone who hasn't read the books, beware of trolling jerks.